Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wins French Game of the Year Award

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the debut title from French studio Sandfall Interactive, has been awarded “best video game of the year” at the 7th annual Pégases awards, often described as the French equivalent of the César Awards for film. The recognition builds on earlier accolades, including a win at the Game Awards in Los Angeles last December – a first for a French-developed game. The game, a role-playing experience set in a Belle Époque-inspired Paris, also received awards for “visual excellence,” “narrative excellence,” and “best sound universe” at the Pégases ceremony held Thursday evening in Paris.

The win is particularly notable given the relatively modest size of Sandfall Interactive, a team of around thirty developers. This contrasts with the large-scale productions common in the industry, and highlights a potential strength of the French game development scene: a focus on compelling storytelling and nuanced themes. Guillaume Broche, the game’s director, remarked upon receiving the “narrative excellence” award that French games often excel at tackling complex subjects with “justesse and sincerity” – a quality of precision and heartfelt honesty.

A Post-Apocalyptic Belle Époque

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 distinguishes itself through its unique setting and narrative. The game unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world, following a group of characters on a perilous journey to confront a supernatural entity threatening humanity. This blend of historical aesthetics and fantastical elements has resonated with players, contributing to the game’s critical and commercial success. The game is published by Kepler Interactive, a British publisher, but its core development and creative vision originate from Sandfall Interactive in Montpellier, France.

The game’s development wasn’t without its challenges. As reported by Le Figaro, Sandfall Interactive collaborated with a team of eight South Korean animators to bring the game’s vision to life. This international collaboration underscores the increasingly global nature of game development, even for studios rooted in a specific national identity. Tom Guillermin, a co-founder of Sandfall Interactive, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating that the game finding both an audience and a place within the industry is “a huge honor.”

Inspiration and Influences

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including the renowned Japanese role-playing game series Final Fantasy. Yet, it carves its own path with its distinctive gameplay mechanics, requiring players to utilize reflexes and strategic timing to defend against enemy attacks. The game’s success also highlights a growing trend in the gaming world: the popularity of live music performances based on video game soundtracks, as seen with titles like The Last of Us, Uncharted, and Ghost of Tsushima. Clair Obscur’s locations are even based on real places in Paris.

Montpellier’s Rising Game Development Scene

Sandfall Interactive’s success follows that of another Montpellier-based studio, Ubisoft, which won the “game of the year” award last year with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. This demonstrates the growing prominence of Montpellier as a hub for game development in France. The recent award for The Rogue Prince of Persia, developed by Evil Empire for Ubisoft, further solidifies this trend. Steve Filby, head of Evil Empire, playfully acknowledged Sandfall Interactive’s win, jokingly thanking them for not competing in the “best first game” category.

However, the industry isn’t without its challenges. Ubisoft recently faced criticism and planned strikes due to the end of remote operate policies and a restructuring plan. The cancellation of the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake in January, despite high anticipation, highlights the financial pressures and risks inherent in large-scale game development projects.

Independent Innovation

Beyond the major studios, independent developers are also making their mark. Dotemu’s Absolum, an action game set in a medieval-fantasy world, received awards for “best independent game” and “best game design.” This recognition underscores the importance of fostering a diverse and vibrant independent game development scene.

What Comes Next for Sandfall Interactive?

The Pégases awards represent a significant milestone for Sandfall Interactive and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The studio’s next steps will likely involve continued support for the game, including bug fixes, performance optimizations, and potentially the development of downloadable content or expansions. The success of Clair Obscur also positions Sandfall Interactive for future projects, potentially attracting further investment and talent. The studio’s ability to build upon this momentum will be crucial in establishing itself as a leading force in the French and international game development landscape.